1
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Kearns M, Jacquier JC, Harrison SM, Cama-Moncunill R, Boland TM, Sheridan H, Kelly AK, Grasso S, Monahan FJ. Effect of different botanically-diverse diets on the fatty acid profile, tocopherol content and oxidative stability of beef. J Sci Food Agric 2023. [PMID: 37058580 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beef from pasture-fed animals is viewed as a healthier and more welfare-friendly alternative to concentrate-fed beef. Botanically-diverse pastures consisting of numerous plant species may alter the fatty acid (FA) profile and the tocopherol content of beef, as well as the oxidative stability of the meat. In the present study, steers were assigned to one of three botanically-diverse diets: perennial ryegrass (PRG), perennial ryegrass + white clover (PRG + WC) or multi-species (MS), all with a finishing diet of the respective botanically-diverse silages plus a cereal-based concentrate, consistent with production systems in Ireland. The FA profile, tocopherol content, oxidative stability and colour of meat during storage were measured. RESULTS Compared to the other diets, the MS diet resulted in higher proportions of linolenic acid (C18:3n-3c), linoleic acid (C18:2n-6c) and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), with higher PUFA:saturated fatty acid and n-6:n-3 ratios in the meat. α-Tocopherol concentrations were lowest in the meat of animals from the MS diet. In uncooked meat, lipid oxidation and colour values were affected by storage time across all diets, whereas the MS diet led to higher hue values only on day 14 of storage. When cooked, meat from animals on PRG + WC and MS diets had higher lipid oxidation on days 1 and 2 of storage than meat from animals on the PRG diet. CONCLUSION Feeding steers on a botanically-diverse diet consisting of six plant species can improve the n-3 FA and PUFA concentration of beef, affecting the susceptibility of cooked, but not uncooked, beef to oxidation. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Kearns
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Sabine M Harrison
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Tommy M Boland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Helen Sheridan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simona Grasso
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Frank J Monahan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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2
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Kennedy R, Moloney AP, O’Riordan EG, Kelly AK, McGee M. Intake, Growth and Carcass Traits of Steers Offered Grass Silage and Concentrates Based on Contrasting Cereal Grain Types Supplemented with Field Beans, Peas or Maize By-Products. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071209. [PMID: 37048465 PMCID: PMC10093695 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The study objective was to determine intake and performance of beef cattle individually offered perennial ryegrass-dominant grass silage ad libitum supplemented with 4 kg dry matter daily of, rolled barley or maize meal-based concentrate rations containing supplements of flaked field beans, flaked peas, maize dried distillers grains (MDD) or maize gluten feed (MGF) for 110 days (Experiment 1), rolled barley or rolled oats with or without supplements of flaked field beans or flaked peas for 146 days (Experiment 2), and to quantify the nitrogen balance of diets similar to those offered in Experiment 2 (Experiment 3). The protein supplements were formulated to have similar crude protein concentrations. Cereal type or protein source did not affect intake, growth, feed efficiency and carcass traits in Experiment 1 or 2. Inclusion of a legume protein supplement with barley or oats had no effect on intake or growth performance (Experiment 2), whereas their exclusion decreased nitrogen intake, plasma urea concentrations and urinary and total nitrogen excretion (Experiment 3). The feeding value of barley was similar to oats and maize meal, and flaked beans and peas were similar to MGF and MDD, as supplements to grass silage. Excluding protein ingredients from a cereal-based concentrate did not affect animal performance and reduced nitrogen excretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rian Kennedy
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Aidan P. Moloney
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Edward G. O’Riordan
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Mark McGee
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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3
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Smith PE, Kelly AK, Kenny DA, Waters SM. Enteric methane research and mitigation strategies for pastoral-based beef cattle production systems. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:958340. [PMID: 36619952 PMCID: PMC9817038 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.958340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ruminant livestock play a key role in global society through the conversion of lignocellulolytic plant matter into high-quality sources of protein for human consumption. However, as a consequence of the digestive physiology of ruminant species, methane (CH4), which originates as a byproduct of enteric fermentation, is accountable for 40% of global agriculture's carbon footprint and ~6% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, meeting the increasing demand for animal protein associated with a growing global population while reducing the GHG intensity of ruminant production will be a challenge for both the livestock industry and the research community. In recent decades, numerous strategies have been identified as having the potential to reduce the methanogenic output of livestock. Dietary supplementation with antimethanogenic compounds, targeting members of the rumen methanogen community and/or suppressing the availability of methanogenesis substrates (mainly H2 and CO2), may have the potential to reduce the methanogenic output of housed livestock. However, reducing the environmental impact of pasture-based beef cattle may be a challenge, but it can be achieved by enhancing the nutritional quality of grazed forage in an effort to improve animal growth rates and ultimately reduce lifetime emissions. In addition, the genetic selection of low-CH4-emitting and/or faster-growing animals will likely benefit all beef cattle production systems by reducing the methanogenic potential of future generations of livestock. Similarly, the development of other mitigation technologies requiring minimal intervention and labor for their application, such as anti-methanogen vaccines, would likely appeal to livestock producers, with high uptake among farmers if proven effective. Therefore, the objective of this review is to give a detailed overview of the CH4 mitigation solutions, both currently available and under development, for temperate pasture-based beef cattle production systems. A description of ruminal methanogenesis and the technologies used to estimate enteric emissions at pastures are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E. Smith
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Ireland,*Correspondence: Paul E. Smith
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David A. Kenny
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Sinéad M. Waters
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Ireland
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4
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Byrne CJ, Kelly AK, Keogh K, Kenny DA. Enhancing early life nutrition alters the hepatic transcriptome of Angus × Holstein-Friesian heifer calves. Animal 2022; 16:100577. [PMID: 35810502 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life nutrition has a major influence on subsequent lifetime performance in cattle. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of plane of nutrition from 3 to 21 weeks of age on the liver transcriptome. Holstein-Friesian × Angus heifer calves with a mean (±SD) age and BW of 19 (±5) days and 51.2 (±7.8) kg, respectively, were assigned to either a high-energy diet to support a mean average daily gain (ADG) of 1.2 kg/day (HI; n = 15) or a moderate diet (MOD; n = 15) to support a mean ADG of 0.5 kg/day. At 145 ± 3 days of age, all calves were euthanised, liver tissue samples collected and flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen. Following RNA sequence analysis, the total number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (at false discovery rate (FDR) > 0.05) was 537; 308 upregulated and 229 downregulated in HI compared to MOD. The number of DEGs mapped to IPA (at FDR > 0.05) was 460; 264 upregulated and 196 downregulated. There was greater expression of genes associated with cellular development and metabolism in heifers on the HI compared to the MOD diet. The genes (fold change) of the somatotrophic axis; IGF1 (3.7), IGFALS (2.6) and GHR (1.5) were upregulated in the HI compared to MOD diet. The cytokine receptor genes, IL17RB (1.7) and IL20RA (3.3), were upregulated in the HI heifers, which were detected in a network interacting with metabolically regulated genes. The potential enhanced cell-to-cell communication evident from DEGs would increase the calves' ability to combat health challenges. The findings of this study indicate that enhancing the early life plane of nutrition in heifer calves results in the upregulation of genes that are associated with increased metabolic activity and thus metabolic capacity. Moreover, the interaction between metabolic and immune communication genes indicates that enhanced nutrition has the potential to improve the immune response in the liver which will play a central role in ensuring optimal lifetime performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Byrne
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - A K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 D04 F6X4, Ireland
| | - K Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - D A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 D04 F6X4, Ireland.
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5
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Smith PE, Kelly AK, Kenny DA, Waters SM. Differences in the Composition of the Rumen Microbiota of Finishing Beef Cattle Divergently Ranked for Residual Methane Emissions. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:855565. [PMID: 35572638 PMCID: PMC9099143 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.855565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advent of high throughput technology, it is now feasible to study the complex relationship of the rumen microbiota with methanogenesis in large populations of ruminant livestock divergently ranked for enteric emissions. Recently, the residual methane emissions (RME) concept has been identified as the optimal phenotype for assessing the methanogenic potential of ruminant livestock due to the trait's independence from animal productivity but strong correlation with daily methane emissions. However, there is currently a dearth of data available on the bacterial and archaeal microbial communities residing in the rumens of animals divergently ranked for RME. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the rumen microbiota and RME in a population of finishing beef cattle. Methane emissions were estimated from individual animals using the GreenFeed Emissions Monitoring system for 21 days over a mean feed intake measurement period of 91 days. Residual methane emissions were calculated for 282 crossbred finishing beef cattle, following which a ∼30% difference in all expressions of methane emissions was observed between high and low RME ranked animals. Rumen fluid samples were successfully obtained from 268 animals during the final week of the methane measurement period using a trans-oesophageal sampling device. Rumen microbial DNA was extracted and subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Animals ranked as low RME had the highest relative abundances (P < 0.05) of lactic-acid-producing bacteria (Intestinibaculum, Sharpea, and Olsenella) and Selenomonas, and the lowest (P < 0.05) proportions of Pseudobutyrivibrio, Butyrivibrio, and Mogibacterium. Within the rumen methanogen community, an increased abundance (P < 0.05) of the genus Methanosphaera and Methanobrevibacter RO clade was observed in low RME animals. The relative abundances of both Intestinibaculum and Olsenella were negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with RME and positively correlated with ruminal propionate. A similar relationship was observed for the abundance of Methanosphaera and the Methanobrevibacter RO clade. Findings from this study highlight the ruminal abundance of bacterial genera associated with the synthesis of propionate via the acrylate pathway, as well as the methanogens Methanosphaera and members of the Methanobrevibacter RO clade as potential microbial biomarkers of the methanogenic potential of beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E. Smith
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Meath, Ireland
- UCD School of Agricultural and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- UCD School of Agricultural and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David A. Kenny
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Meath, Ireland
| | - Sinéad M. Waters
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Meath, Ireland
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6
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Smith PE, Waters SM, Kenny DA, Kirwan SF, Conroy S, Kelly AK. Effect of divergence in residual methane emissions on feed intake and efficiency, growth and carcass performance, and indices of rumen fermentation and methane emissions in finishing beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:6379086. [PMID: 34598276 PMCID: PMC8598385 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Residual expressions of enteric emissions favor a more equitable identification of an animal's methanogenic potential compared with traditional measures of enteric emissions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of divergently ranking beef cattle for residual methane emissions (RME) on animal productivity, enteric emissions, and rumen fermentation. Dry matter intake (DMI), growth, feed efficiency, carcass output, and enteric emissions (GreenFeed emissions monitoring system) were recorded on 294 crossbred beef cattle (steers = 135 and heifers = 159; mean age 441 d (SD = 49); initial body weight (BW) of 476 kg (SD = 67)) at the Irish national beef cattle performance test center. Animals were offered a total mixed ration (77% concentrate and 23% forage; 12.6 MJ ME/kg of DM and 12% CP) ad libitum with emissions estimated for 21 d over a mean feed intake measurement period of 91 d. Animals had a mean daily methane emissions (DME) of 229.18 g/d (SD = 45.96), methane yield (MY) of 22.07 g/kg of DMI (SD = 4.06), methane intensity (MI) 0.70 g/kg of carcass weight (SD = 0.15), and RME 0.00 g/d (SD = 0.34). RME was computed as the residuals from a multiple regression model regressing DME on DMI and BW (R2 = 0.45). Animals were ranked into three groups namely high RME (>0.5 SD above the mean), medium RME (±0.5 SD above/below the mean), and low RME (>0.5 SD below the mean). Low RME animals produced 17.6% and 30.4% less (P < 0.05) DME compared with medium and high RME animals, respectively. A ~30% reduction in MY and MI was detected in low versus high RME animals. Positive correlations were apparent among all methane traits with RME most highly associated with (r = 0.86) DME. MY and MI were correlated (P < 0.05) with DMI, growth, feed efficiency, and carcass output. High RME had lower (P < 0.05) ruminal propionate compared with low RME animals and increased (P < 0.05) butyrate compared with medium and low RME animals. Propionate was negatively associated (P < 0.05) with all methane traits. Greater acetate:propionate ratio was associated with higher RME (r = 0.18; P < 0.05). Under the ad libitum feeding regime deployed here, RME was the best predictor of DME and only methane trait independent of animal productivity. Ranking animals on RME presents the opportunity to exploit interanimal variation in enteric emissions as well as providing a more equitable index of the methanogenic potential of an animal on which to investigate the underlying biological regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Smith
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland.,UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sinead M Waters
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland
| | - Stuart F Kirwan
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland
| | - Stephen Conroy
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, G€N€ IR€LAND Progeny Test Centre, Tully, Kildare Town, County Kildare, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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7
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Doyle PR, McGee M, Moloney AP, Kelly AK, O’Riordan EG. PSIV-8 Effect of pre-grazing herbage mass, post-grazing sward height and finishing diet on performance of late-maturing beef steers. J Anim Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab235.544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Grazing sward structure can influence animal performance in forage-only and forage plus concentrate-based production systems. The objective was to determine the effects of pre-grazing herbage mass (PGHM), post-grazing sward height (PGSH) and indoor finishing diet on performance of weaned, spring-born beef steers. Steers (n = 96, ca. 12 months of age, 396 ± 20.1 kg) previously fed grass silage only over the first winter, were assigned to one of twelve grazing groups, balanced for live weight. Grazing groups were randomly assigned to a two PGHM (1500 or 2500 kg DM/ha) × two PGSH (4 or 6 cm) factorial arrangement of treatments (n = 3 groups/treatment). Steers rotationally grazed Lolium perenne-dominant swards (not mechanically topped) for 222 days. Steers were then accommodated indoors and offered grass silage only (SO) or grass silage + 3.8 kg concentrate DM/head daily (SC) for a 146 day finishing period. Data were analysed using the mixed procedure of SAS with terms for PGHM, PGSH, finishing diet and their interactions in the model. Grazed herbage intake was unaffected by PGHM but was greater for PGSH-6 than PGSH-4 (6.94 vs. 6.18 kg DM/day; P < 0.001). Steer average daily gain at pasture was greater for PGHM-1500 than PGHM-2500 (0.65 vs. 0.60 kg; P < 0.05) and for PGSH-6 than PGSH-4 (0.70 vs. 0.55 kg; P < 0.001). After indoor finishing, carcass weight was unaffected by PGHM, but was heavier for PGSH-6 than PGSH-4 (386 vs. 367 kg; P < 0.01); carcass traits were unaffected by PGHM or PGSH. Carcasses were heavier (+43 kg), fatter (P < 0.001) and more conformed (P < 0.01) for SC than SO. In conclusion, both PGHM-2500 and PGSH-4 restricted animal growth at pasture; however, following an indoor finishing period, carcass weight did not differ between PGHM, but was heavier for PGSH-6 than PGSH-4.
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8
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Doyle PR, McGee M, Moloney AP, Kelly AK, O’Riordan EG. Effect of Post-Grazing Sward Height, Sire Genotype and Indoor Finishing Diet on Steer Intake, Growth and Production in Grass-Based Suckler Weanling-to-Beef Systems. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092623. [PMID: 34573588 PMCID: PMC8470167 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Grass-fed beef is becoming popular; however, there is little research information on optimising beef cattle performance in such production systems. In grass-forage-only beef systems, the removal of dietary concentrates increases the difficulty in achieving target live-weight performance and carcass fatness. Post-grazing sward height can potentially influence animal live-weight gain at pasture, whilst sire breed maturity (genotype) can potentially influence carcass fatness and, therefore, the duration required to achieve a commercially acceptable carcass fat score. Therefore, contrasting post-grazing sward heights and beef steer genotypes were evaluated within a grass-forage-only and grass-forage + concentrate production system. The high post-grazing sward height (6 cm) increased intake and live-weight gain at pasture and resulted in a heavier carcass after an indoor finishing period compared to the low post-grazing sward height (4 cm). The early-maturing genotype had a greater intake, live-weight gain and carcass fatness, but similar carcass weight and lower conformation score compared to the late-maturing genotype. Although concentrate supplementation indoors increased carcass weight and fatness, grass-forage-only steers still achieved a commercially-acceptable fat score when slaughtered at 24 months of age. In conclusion, grazing higher sward residuals and utilising early-maturing animal genotypes can increase live-weight pasture gain and carcass fatness, respectively, in grass-forage beef production systems. Abstract This study evaluated the effects of post-grazing sward height (PGSH, 4 or 6 cm) on herbage production, its nutritive value, dry matter (DM) intake, grazing behaviour and growth of early- (EM) and late-maturing (LM) breed suckler steers (n = 72), and the subsequent effect of indoor finishing diet (grass silage + 3.8 kg concentrate DM/head daily (SC), or grass silage only (SO)) on performance and carcass traits. Animals rotationally grazed pasture for 196 days, followed by indoor finishing for 119 days. At pasture, daily live-weight gain (LWG) was 0.10 kg greater for PGSH-6 than PGSH-4, resulting in a tendency for carcass weight to be 11 kg heavier. Although EM had a 0.10 kg greater daily LWG at pasture than LM, carcass weight did not differ between the genotypes. There was a genotype × PGSH interaction for carcass fat score, whereby there was no difference between EM-4 (8.83, 15-point scale) and EM-6 (8.17), but LM-6 (7.28) was greater than LM-4 (6.33). Although concentrate supplementation during indoor finishing increased carcass weight (+37 kg) and fat score (1.75 units), the majority of steers (83% of EM and 78% of LM) achieved a commercially-acceptable carcass fat score (6.78) at slaughter in the grass-forage-only system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter R. Doyle
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland;
- Correspondence: (P.R.D.); (E.G.O.)
| | - Mark McGee
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
| | - Aidan P. Moloney
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Edward G. O’Riordan
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, C15 PW93 Co. Meath, Ireland; (M.M.); (A.P.M.)
- Correspondence: (P.R.D.); (E.G.O.)
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9
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Sánchez JM, Keogh K, Kelly AK, Byrne CJ, Lonergan P, Kenny DA. A high plane of nutrition during early life alters the hypothalamic transcriptome of heifer calves. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13978. [PMID: 34234169 PMCID: PMC8263617 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93080-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim was to examine the effect of rapid body weight gain during early calfhood consistent with earlier sexual development on the transcriptional profile of the hypothalamus. Angus X Holstein-Friesian heifer calves (19 ± 5 days of age) were offered a high (HI, n = 14) or moderate (MOD, n = 15) plane of nutrition from 3 to 21 weeks of age to achieve a growth rate of 1.2 kg/d and 0.5 kg/d, respectively. Following euthanasia at 21 weeks, the arcuate nucleus (ARC) region was separated from the remainder of the hypothalamus and both were subjected to RNA-Seq. HI calves exhibited altered expression of 80 and 39 transcripts in the ARC and the remaining hypothalamus, respectively (P < 0.05) including downregulation of AGRP and NPY and upregulation of POMC, previously implicated in precocious sexual development. Stress-signaling pathways were amongst the most highly dysregulated. Organ morphology, reproductive system development and function, and developmental disorder were amongst the networks derived from differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the ARC. Gene co-expression analysis revealed DEGs within the ARC (POMC, CBLN2, CHGA) and hypothalamus (PENK) as hub genes. In conclusion, enhanced nutrition during early calfhood alters the biochemical regulation of the hypothalamus consistent with advanced sexual development in the prepubertal heifer.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Sánchez
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Y Tecnología Agraria Y Alimentaria, Ctr. de la Coruña Km 5.9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Kate Keogh
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Colin J Byrne
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Pat Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland.
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10
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Keogh K, Kelly AK, Kenny DA. Effect of plane of nutrition in early life on the transcriptome of visceral adipose tissue in Angus heifer calves. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9716. [PMID: 33958675 PMCID: PMC8102595 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89252-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue represents not only an important energy storage tissue but also a major endocrine organ within the body, influencing many biochemical systems including metabolic status, immune function and energy homeostasis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an enhanced dietary intake during the early calfhood period on the transcriptome of visceral adipose tissue. Artificially reared Angus × Holstein-Friesian heifer calves were offered either a high (HI, n = 15) or moderate (MOD, n = 15) plane of nutrition from 3 to 21 weeks of life. At 21 weeks of age all calves were euthanized, visceral adipose harvested and samples subsequently subjected to mRNA sequencing. Plane of nutrition resulted in the differential expression of 1214 genes within visceral adipose tissue (adj. p < 0.05; fold change > 1.5). Differentially expressed genes were involved in processes related to metabolism and energy production. Biochemical pathways including Sirtuin signalling (adj. p < 0.0001) and the adipogenesis pathways (adj. p = 0.009) were also significantly enriched, indicating greater metabolic processing and adipogenesis in the calves on the high plane of nutrition. Results from this study identify novel genes regulating the molecular response of visceral adipose tissue to an improved plane of nutrition during early calfhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Keogh
- Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co Meath, Ireland
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - David A. Kenny
- Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co Meath, Ireland ,School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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11
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O'Callaghan E, Sánchez JM, McDonald M, Kelly AK, Hamdi M, Maicas C, Fair S, Kenny DA, Lonergan P. Sire contribution to fertilization failure and early embryo survival in cattle. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:7262-7271. [PMID: 33714587 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite passing routine laboratory tests of semen quality, bulls used in artificial insemination (AI) exhibit a significant range in field fertility. The objective of this study was to determine whether subfertility in AI bulls is due to issues of sperm transport to the site of fertilization, fertilization failure, or failure of early embryo or conceptus development. In experiment 1, Holstein-Friesian bulls (3 high fertility, HF, and 3 low fertility, LF) were selected from the national population of AI bulls based on adjusted fertility scores from a minimum of 500 inseminations (HF: +4.37% and LF: -12.7%; mean = 0%). Superovulated beef heifers were blocked based on estimated number of follicles at the time of AI and inseminated with semen from HF or LF bulls (n = 3-4 heifers per bull; total 19 heifers). Following slaughter 7 d later, the number of corpora lutea was counted and the uteri were flushed. Recovered structures (oocytes/embryos) were classified according to developmental stage and stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole to assess number of cells and accessory sperm. Overall recovery rate (total structures recovered/total corpora lutea) was 52.6% and was not different between groups. Mean (± standard error of the mean) number of embryos recovered per recipient was 8.7 ± 5.2 and 9.4 ± 5.5 for HF and LF, respectively. Overall fertilization rate of recovered structures was not different between groups. However, more embryos were at advanced stages of development (all blastocyst stages combined), reflected in a greater mean embryo cell number on d 7 for HF versus LF bulls. Number of accessory sperm was greater for embryos derived from HF than for LF bulls. The aim of experiment 2 was to evaluate the effect of sire fertility on survival of bovine embryos to d 15. Day 7 blastocysts were produced in vitro using semen from the same HF (n = 3) and LF (n = 3) bulls and transferred in groups of 5-10 to synchronized heifers (n = 7 heifers per bull; total 42 heifers). Conceptus recovery rate on d 15 was higher in HF (59.4%,) versus LF (45.0%). Mean length of recovered conceptuses for HF bulls was not affected by fertility status. In conclusion, while differences in field fertility among AI sires used in this study were not reflected in fertilization rate, differences in embryo quality were apparent as early as d 7. These differences likely contributed to the higher proportion of conceptuses surviving to d 15 in HF bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- E O'Callaghan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland D04 N2E5
| | - J M Sánchez
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland D04 N2E5
| | - M McDonald
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland D04 N2E5
| | - A K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland D04 N2E5
| | - M Hamdi
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland D04 N2E5
| | - C Maicas
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland D04 N2E5
| | - S Fair
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland V94 PT85
| | - D A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Meath, Ireland C15 PW93
| | - P Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland D04 N2E5.
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12
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Kelly AK, Byrne C, McGee M, Perry GA, Crowe MA, Sauerwein H, Kenny DA. Effect of calfhood nutrition on metabolic hormones, gonadotropins, and estradiol concentrations and on reproductive organ development in beef heifer calves. J Anim Sci 2021; 98:5909279. [PMID: 32954407 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the effect of plane of nutrition on the endocrinological regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis in beef heifer calves during a critical sexual developmental window early in calf hood. Forty Holstein-Friesian × Angus heifers (mean age 19 d, SEM = 0.63) were assigned to a high (HI; ADG 1.2 kg) or moderate (MOD; ADG 0.50 kg) nutritional level from 3 to 21 wk of life. Intake was recorded using an electronic calf feeding system, BW was recorded weekly, and blood samples were collected on the week of age 5, 10, 15, and 20 for metabolite, reproductive, and metabolic hormone determination. At 19 wk of age, on sequential days, an 8-h window bleed was carried out for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol analysis. To characterize anterior pituitary gland function, an intravenous GnRH challenge was conducted (19 wk of age). Blood was collected via a jugular catheter every 15 min for 135 min for the analysis of LH, FSH, and estradiol. Calves were subsequently euthanized at 21 wk of age; the anterior pituitary, metabolic organs, and reproductive tract were weighed, and ovarian surface follicular numbers and oocytes recovered were recorded. Mean ADG was 1.18 and 0.50 kg for HI and MOD, respectively, resulting in a 76.6-kg difference in BW (P < 0.001). Blood insulin, glucose, and IGF-1 concentrations were greater (P < 0.001) for HI compared with MOD. There was a diet × time interaction for leptin (P < 0.01); concentrations were greater in HI compared with MOD at 20 wk of age with no difference between treatments before this. Dietary treatment did not alter the concentrations of adiponectin or anti-mullerian hormone. There was a diet × time interaction for FSH, whereby MOD had greater concentrations than HI at 10, 15, and 20, but not at 5 wk of age. Over the duration of an 8-h window bleed (19 wk of age), serum concentrations of LH, LH pulse frequency, and LH pulse amplitude were unaffected by treatment, whereas FSH (0.23 vs. 0.43 ng/mL) and estradiol (0.53 vs. 0.38 ng/mL) concentrations were less than and greater, respectively, for HI than MOD (P < 0.05). Likewise, following a GnRH challenge, the area under the curve analysis revealed greater (P < 0.01) estradiol and lesser (P < 0.01) FSH concentrations in calves on the HI relative to MOD diet, whereas concentrations of LH were unaffected (P = 0.26) between treatments. Ovarian surface follicle numbers were greater (P < 0.05) in HI compared with MOD. Total reproductive tract, uterus, and ovarian tissue expressed relative to BW were greater (P < 0.05) for HI compared with MOD. In conclusion, enhanced nutrition in early calfhood advances the ontogeny development of the HPO axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan K Kelly
- College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colin Byrne
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Mark McGee
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | | | - Mark A Crowe
- College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Helga Sauerwein
- Institute for Animal Science, Physiology and Hygiene Unit, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - David A Kenny
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Boland TM, Pierce KM, Kelly AK, Kenny DA, Lynch MB, Waters SM, Whelan SJ, McKay ZC. Feed Intake, Methane Emissions, Milk Production and Rumen Methanogen Populations of Grazing Dairy Cows Supplemented with Various C 18 Fatty Acid Sources. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E2380. [PMID: 33322624 PMCID: PMC7764364 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Emissions of methane (CH4) from dairy production systems are environmentally detrimental and represent an energy cost to the cow. This study evaluated the effect of varying C18 fatty acid sources on CH4 emissions, milk production and rumen methanogen populations in grazing lactating dairy cows. Forty-five Holstein Friesian cows were randomly allocated to one of three treatments (n = 15). Cows were offered 15 kg dry matter (DM)/d of grazed pasture plus supplementary concentrates (4 kg DM/d) containing either stearic acid (SA), linseed oil (LO), or soy oil (SO). Cows offered LO and SO had lower pasture DM intake (DMI) than those offered SA (11.3, 11.5 vs. 12.6 kg/d). Cows offered LO and SO had higher milk yield (21.0, 21.3 vs. 19.7 kg/d) and milk protein yield (0.74, 0.73 vs. 0.67 kg/d) than those offered SA. Emissions of CH4 (245 vs. 293, 289 g/d, 12.4 vs. 15.7, 14.8 g/kg of milk and 165 vs. 207, 195 g/kg of milk solids) were lower for cows offered LO than those offered SA or SO. Methanobrevibacter ruminantium abundance was reduced in cows offered LO compared to SA. Offering supplementary concentrates containing LO can reduce enteric CH4 emissions from pasture fed dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy M. Boland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4 D04 V1W8, Ireland; (K.M.P.); (A.K.K.); (M.B.L.); (Z.C.M.)
| | - Karina M. Pierce
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4 D04 V1W8, Ireland; (K.M.P.); (A.K.K.); (M.B.L.); (Z.C.M.)
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4 D04 V1W8, Ireland; (K.M.P.); (A.K.K.); (M.B.L.); (Z.C.M.)
| | - David A. Kenny
- Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland; (D.A.K.); (S.M.W.)
| | - Mary B. Lynch
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4 D04 V1W8, Ireland; (K.M.P.); (A.K.K.); (M.B.L.); (Z.C.M.)
| | - Sinéad M. Waters
- Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland; (D.A.K.); (S.M.W.)
| | | | - Zoe C. McKay
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4 D04 V1W8, Ireland; (K.M.P.); (A.K.K.); (M.B.L.); (Z.C.M.)
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Mullins Y, Keogh K, Blackshields G, Kenny DA, Kelly AK, Waters SM. Transcriptome assisted label free proteomics of hepatic tissue in response to both dietary restriction and compensatory growth in cattle. J Proteomics 2020; 232:104048. [PMID: 33217582 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.104048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Compensatory growth (CG) is a naturally occurring phenomenon where, following a period of under nutrition, an animal exhibits accelerated growth upon re-alimentation. The objective was to identify and quantify hepatic proteins involved in the regulation of CG in cattle. Forty Holstein Friesian bulls were equally assigned to one of four groups. Groups; A1 and A2 had ad libitum access to feed for 125 days, groups R1 and R2 were feed restricted. Following this, R1 and A1 animals were slaughtered. Remaining animals (R2 and A2) were slaughtered following ad libitum feeding for a successive 55 days. At slaughter hepatic tissue samples were collected and label-free quantitative proteomics undertaken with spectra searched against a custom built transcriptome database specific to the animals in this study. 24 differentially abundant proteins were identified during CG (R2 vs. R1) including; PSPH, ASNS and GSTM1, which are involved in nutrient metabolism, immune response and cellular growth. Proteins involved in biochemical pathways related to nutrient metabolism were down-regulated during CG, indicating a possible adaptive response by the liver to a period of fluctuating nutrient availability. The livers ability to regulate its metabolic activity may have profound effects on the efficiency of whole body energy utilization during CG. SIGNIFICANCE: This study is the first to unravel the effect of compensatory growth on the hepatic proteome of cattle using transcriptome-assisted shot gun proteomics. Proteins identified as being affected by dietary restriction and subsequent expression of compensatory growth in this study may, following appropriate validation, contribute to the identification of functional genetic variants. Such information could be harnessed within the context of genomic selection in cattle breeding programs to identify animals with a greater genetic potential to undergo compensatory growth, thus increasing the profitability of the beef sector and accelerating genetic gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Mullins
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Kate Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Gordon Blackshields
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sinéad M Waters
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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15
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McGovern E, McGee M, Byrne CJ, Kenny DA, Kelly AK, Waters SM. Investigation into the effect of divergent feed efficiency phenotype on the bovine rumen microbiota across diet and breed. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15317. [PMID: 32948787 PMCID: PMC7501277 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71458-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between rumen microbiota and host feed efficiency phenotype, for genetically divergent beef cattle breeds is unclear. This is further exacerbated when different growth stages, chemically diverse diets and production systems are considered. Residual feed intake (RFI), a measure of feed efficiency, was calculated for individually fed Charolais (CH) and Holstein-Friesian (HF) steers during each of four 70-day (excluding adaptation) successive dietary phases: namely, high-concentrate, grass silage, fresh zero-grazed grass and high-concentrate again. Rumen fluid from the ten highest- (HRFI) and ten lowest-ranking (LRFI) animals for RFI, within breed, during each dietary phase was collected using a trans-oesophageal sampler and subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and metabolic profiling. The datasets were analysed to identify microbial and rumen fermentation markers associated with RFI status. Age, dietary phase and breed were included in the statistical model. Within breed, for each dietary phase, mid-test metabolic weight and average daily gain did not differ (P > 0.05) between HRFI and LRFI steers; however, for the initial high-concentrate, grass silage, fresh grass herbage and final high-concentrate dietary phases, HRFI HF steers consumed 19, 23, 18 and 27% more (P < 0.001) than their LRFI counterparts. Corresponding percentages for CH HRFI compared to CH LRFI steers were 18, 23, 13 and 22%. Ten OTUs were associated with RFI (q < 0.05) independent of the other factors investigated. Of these Methanomassiliicoccaceae, Mogibacteriaceae and the genus p-75-a5 of Erysipelotrichaceae and were negatively associated (q < 0.05) with RFI. The results gave evidence that microbial species could potentially be an indicator of RFI in ruminants rather than broader microbiome metrics; however, further research is required to elucidate this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily McGovern
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland
- UCD, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Microbiome Research Centre, St George & Sutherland Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark McGee
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland
| | - Colin J Byrne
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland
- UCD, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Perth, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - David A Kenny
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland
- UCD, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- UCD, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sinéad M Waters
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland.
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Smith PE, Waters SM, Kenny DA, Boland TM, Heffernan J, Kelly AK. Replacing Barley and Soybean Meal With By-products, in a Pasture Based Diet, Alters Daily Methane Output and the Rumen Microbial Community in vitro Using the Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC). Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1614. [PMID: 32793146 PMCID: PMC7387412 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant based by-products (BP) produced from food and bioethanol industries are human inedible, but can be recycled into the global food chain by ruminant livestock. However, limited data is available on the methanogenesis potential associated with supplementing a solely BP formulated concentrate to a pastoral based diet. Therefore the objective of this in vitro study was to investigate the effects of BP inclusion rate (in a formulated concentrate) to a pasture based diet on dietary digestibility, rumen fermentation patterns, methane production and the prokaryotic microbial community composition. Diets consisted of perennial ryegrass and one of two supplementary concentrates, formulated to be isonitrogenous (16% CP) and isoenergetic (12.0 MJ/ME/kg), containing either 35% BP, barley and soybean meal (BP35) or 95% BP (BP95) offered on a 50:50 basis, however, starch, NDF and fat content varied. The BPs, included in equal proportions on a DM basis, were soyhulls, palm kernel expeller and maize dried distillers grains. The BP35 diet had greater (P < 0.05) digestibility of the chemical constituents DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF. Greater total VFA production was seen in the BP35 diet (P < 0.05). Daily methane production (mmol/day; +22.7%) and methane output per unit of total organic matter digested (MPOMD; +20.8%) were greatest in the BP35 diet (P < 0.01). Dietary treatment influenced microbial composition (PERMANOVA; P = 0.023) with a greater relative abundance of Firmicutes (adj P < 0.01) observed in the BP35. The Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio was significantly reduced in the BP95 diet (P < 0.01). The relative proportions of Proteobacteria (adj P < 0.01), Succinivibrionaceae (adj P < 0.03) and Succinivibrio (adj P = 0.053) increased in the BP95 diet. The abundance of Proteobacteria was found to be negatively associated with daily methane production (rs, −0.71; P < 0.01) and MPOMD (rs, −0.65; P < 0.01). Within Proteobacteria, the relationship of methane production was maintained with the mean abundance of Succinivibrio (rs, −0.69; P < 0.01). The abundance of the Firmicutes phyla was found to be positively correlated with both daily methane production (rs, 0.79; P < 0.001) and MPOMD (rs, 0.75; P < 0.01). Based on in vitro rumen simulation data, supplementation of an exclusively BP formulated concentrate was shown to reduce daily methane output by promoting a favorable alteration to the rumen prokaryotic community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Smith
- UCD School of Agricultural and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc Grange, Meath, Ireland
| | - Sinéad M Waters
- Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc Grange, Meath, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- UCD School of Agricultural and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Teagasc Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc Grange, Meath, Ireland
| | - Tommy M Boland
- UCD School of Agricultural and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Heffernan
- UCD School of Agricultural and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- UCD School of Agricultural and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Sánchez JM, Passaro C, Forde N, Browne JA, Behura SK, Fernández-Fuertes B, Mathew DJ, Kelly AK, Butler ST, Spencer TE, Lonergan P. Do differences in the endometrial transcriptome between uterine horns ipsilateral and contralateral to the corpus luteum influence conceptus growth to day 14 in cattle? Biol Reprod 2020; 100:86-100. [PMID: 30137215 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryo transfer to the uterine horn contralateral to the ovary containing the corpus luteum (CL) negatively impacts pregnancy establishment in cattle. Our aim was to compare the transcriptome and ability of the ipsilateral and contralateral uterine horns to support preimplantation conceptus survival and growth to day 14. In experiment 1, endometrial samples from both horns were collected from synchronized heifers slaughtered on day 5, 7, 13, or 16 post-estrus (n = 5 per time) and subjected to RNA sequencing. In experiment 2, 10 day 7 in vitro produced blastocysts were transferred into the uterine horn ipsilateral (n = 9) or contralateral to the CL (n = 8) or into both horns (i.e., bilateral, n = 9) of synchronized recipient heifers. Reproductive tracts were recovered at slaughter on day 14, and the number and dimensions of recovered conceptuses were recorded for each horn. A total of 217, 54, 14, and 18 differentially expressed genes (>2-fold change, FDR P < 0.05) were detected between ipsilateral and contralateral horns on days 5, 7, 13, and 16, respectively, with signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells, ErbB signaling pathway, and mTOR signaling pathway amongst the top canonical pathways. Site of embryo transfer did not affect recovery rate (48.0%, 168/350) or length of conceptuses (mean ± SE 2.85 ± 0.27 mm). Although differences in gene expression exist between the endometrium of uterine horns ipsilateral and contralateral to the CL in cattle, they do not impact conceptus survival or length between day 7 and 14.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Sánchez
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Claudia Passaro
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Niamh Forde
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - John A Browne
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Susanta K Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Daniel J Mathew
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Stephen T Butler
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Thomas E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Pat Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Heslin J, Kenny DA, Kelly AK, McGee M. Age at puberty and pregnancy rate in beef heifer genotypes with contrasting nutritional intake from 8 to 13 months of age. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 212:106221. [PMID: 31864491 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of plane of nutrition between 8 and 13 months of age on reproductive performance of heifers of early (EM; n = 154) or late (LM; n = 155) maturing beef breeds and with dairy (dairy-bred, n = 154) or beef (beef-bred, n = 155) dams. Heifers were fed to have an average daily gain (ADG) of 0.50 kg (MOD) or >1.00 kg (HI) for a 141- and 150-day indoor winter period. Subsequently, heifers grazed pasture, and a 12 week breeding programme was implemented. Compared to heifers fed the MOD intake diet, heifers fed the HI intake diet were younger (P < 0.001) and had greater bodyweights (P < 0.001) at puberty but did not have a greater 6- (P = 0.41) or 12- (P = 0.32) week pregnancy rate. Dairy-bred heifers were of a similar age (P = 0.55) but had a lesser bodyweight (P < 0.001) at puberty and had a greater 6- (P < 0.05) and 12- (P < 0.01) week pregnancy rate compared to beef-bred heifers. Compared to LM heifers, EM heifers were younger (P < 0.001), had a lesser bodyweight (P < 0.01) at puberty and had a greater 6-week (P < 0.01) but not 12-week (P = 0.96) pregnancy rate. Enhanced nutrition resulted in a younger age at puberty but had no effect on 12-week pregnancy rate. Dam but not sire breed affected 12-week pregnancy rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Heslin
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - D A Kenny
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - A K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - M McGee
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Condren SA, Kelly AK, Lynch MB, Boland TM, Whelan SJ, Grace C, Rajauria G, Pierce KM. The effect of by-product inclusion and concentrate feeding rate on milk production and composition, pasture dry matter intake, and nitrogen excretion of mid-late lactation spring-calving cows grazing a perennial ryegrass-based pasture. J Dairy Sci 2018; 102:1247-1256. [PMID: 30580955 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-14970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Interest is growing in the use of by-products as economical sources of nutrients that complement grazed grass, particularly at times when grass supply is insufficient to meet the nutritional demands of lactating dairy cattle. The objective of this research was to assess the effect of the amount of by-product inclusion and concentrate feeding rate on pasture dry matter intake, milk production and composition, and N excretion from spring-calving cows grazing summer pasture during mid-late lactation. Forty-eight Holstein Friesian dairy cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Cows were grazed in one group on a perennial ryegrass-based sward, with pelleted concentrates offered twice daily during milking over a 63-d experimental period. The dietary treatments were 3 kg of concentrate containing 35% by-products; 6 kg of concentrate containing 35% by-products; 3 kg of concentrate containing 95% by-products; and 6 kg of concentrate containing 95% by-products on a fresh matter basis. The by-products used were soybean hulls, palm kernel expeller, and maize dried distillers grains with solubles, included in equal proportions on a dry matter basis. Pasture dry matter intake (14.5 kg/d) was not affected by the amount of by-product inclusion or feeding rate. By-product inclusion had no effect on milk yield (27.1 kg/d) or milk solids (MS) yield (2.0 kg/d). Cows offered 6 kg of concentrate had a greater milk (+1.6 kg/d) and MS (+0.13 kg/d) yield, consumed more N (+0.08 kg/d), and excreted a lower proportion of N in the milk (0.25 vs. 0.27) and feces (0.39 vs. 0.41) and a higher proportion in the urine (0.39 vs. 0.32) compared with cows offered 3 kg of by-product-based concentrate. In conclusion, by-products can be included at up to 95% of the concentrate fed to cows grazing pasture without affecting pasture dry matter intake, milk production or composition, or N excretion. Cows offered 6 kg of concentrates produced more milk and MS than cows offered 3 kg but had higher urinary N excretion. Economics of this yield response will depend on milk and concentrate prices.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Condren
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin Lyons Farm, Lyons Estate, Celbridge, Naas, Co. Kildare, W23 ENY2, Ireland
| | - A K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin Lyons Farm, Lyons Estate, Celbridge, Naas, Co. Kildare, W23 ENY2, Ireland.
| | - M B Lynch
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin Lyons Farm, Lyons Estate, Celbridge, Naas, Co. Kildare, W23 ENY2, Ireland
| | - T M Boland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin Lyons Farm, Lyons Estate, Celbridge, Naas, Co. Kildare, W23 ENY2, Ireland
| | - S J Whelan
- Institute of Technology Carlow, Wexford Campus, Summerhill, Wexford, Y35 KA07, Ireland
| | - C Grace
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin Lyons Farm, Lyons Estate, Celbridge, Naas, Co. Kildare, W23 ENY2, Ireland
| | - G Rajauria
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin Lyons Farm, Lyons Estate, Celbridge, Naas, Co. Kildare, W23 ENY2, Ireland
| | - K M Pierce
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin Lyons Farm, Lyons Estate, Celbridge, Naas, Co. Kildare, W23 ENY2, Ireland
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20
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Murphy EM, Kelly AK, O'Meara C, Eivers B, Lonergan P, Fair S. Influence of bull age, ejaculate number, and season of collection on semen production and sperm motility parameters in Holstein Friesian bulls in a commercial artificial insemination centre. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:2408-2418. [PMID: 29767722 DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current era of genomic selection, there is an increased demand to collect semen from genomically selected sires at a young age. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of bull age, ejaculate number, and season of collection on semen production (ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm number; TSN) and sperm motility (prefreeze and post-thaw total and gross motility) parameters in Holstein Friesian bulls in a commercial artificial insemination (AI) center. The study involved the interrogation of a large dataset collected over a 4-yr period, (n = 8,983 ejaculates; n = 176 Holstein Friesian bulls aged between 9 mo and 8 yr). Bulls aged less than 1 yr had the poorest semen production and sperm motility values for all parameters assessed compared with bulls older than 1 yr (P < 0.01). First ejaculates had greater semen production and greater prefreeze motility values than second consecutive ejaculates (P < 0.01), but despite this, there was no difference in post-thaw motility. When subsequent ejaculates were collected from bulls aged less than 1 yr, semen production and sperm motility did not differ compared with mature bulls. Semen collected in winter was poorest in terms of sperm concentration and TSN, but best in terms of post-thaw motility (P < 0.01). In conclusion, second ejaculates can be collected, particularly from bulls aged less than 1 yr, without a significant decrease in post-thaw sperm motility, thus may be a useful strategy to increase semen availability from young genomically selected AI bulls in high demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edel M Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,National Cattle Breeding Centre, Naas, Co Kildare, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ciara O'Meara
- National Cattle Breeding Centre, Naas, Co Kildare, Ireland
| | - Bernard Eivers
- National Cattle Breeding Centre, Naas, Co Kildare, Ireland
| | - Patrick Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean Fair
- Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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21
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McGovern E, Kenny DA, McCabe MS, Fitzsimons C, McGee M, Kelly AK, Waters SM. 16S rRNA Sequencing Reveals Relationship Between Potent Cellulolytic Genera and Feed Efficiency in the Rumen of Bulls. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1842. [PMID: 30147683 PMCID: PMC6097346 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The rumen microbial population dictates the host’s feed degradation capacity and subsequent nutrient supply. The rising global human population and intensifying demand for animal protein is creating environmental challenges. As a consequence, there is an increasing requirement for livestock with enhanced nutrient utilization capacity in order to more efficiently convert plant material to high quality edible muscle. In the current study, residual feed intake (RFI), a widely used and a highly accepted measure of feed efficiency in cattle, was calculated for a combination of three cohorts of Simmental bulls. All animals were managed similarly from birth and offered concentrate ad libitum in addition to 3 kg of grass silage daily during the finishing period. Solid and liquid rumen digesta samples collected at slaughter and were analyzed using amplicon sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA gene utilizing the Illumina MiSeq platform. Volatile fatty acid analysis was also conducted on the liquid digesta samples. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was utilized to determine the association between RFI and bacterial and archaeal taxa and inter-taxonomic relationships. The data indicate a tendency toward an increase in butyrate (P = 0.06), which corresponds with an increase in plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentration in low RFI (LRFI) bulls in comparison to their high RFI (HRFI) contemporaries (P < 0.05). A decrease in propionate (P < 0.05) was also recorded in the rumen of LRFI in comparison to HRFI bulls. These results indicate alternate fermentation patterns in the rumen of LRFI bulls. The data also identified that OTUs within the phyla Tenericutes, Fibrobacteres, and Cyanobacteria may potentially influence RFI phenotype. In particular, a negative association between F. succinogenes and RFI was evident. The unique cellulolytic metabolism of F. succinogenes suggests it could contribute to host efficiency by providing substrate to the host ruminant and other microbial populations (e.g., Selenomonas ruminantium, Methanobrevibacter, and Methanomassiliicoccaceae) in the rumen. This study provides evidence that bacterial OTUs within common phyla could influence ruminant feed efficiency phenotype through their role in ruminal degradation of complex plant polysaccharides or increased capability to harvest nutrients from ingested feed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily McGovern
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Ireland.,UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Ireland.,UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - Matthew S McCabe
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Claire Fitzsimons
- Teagasc, Livestock Research Systems Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Mark McGee
- Teagasc, Livestock Research Systems Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - Sinéad M Waters
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Ireland
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Duffy SK, Kelly AK, Rajauria G, Clarke LC, Gath V, Monahan FJ, O'Doherty JV. The effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3and phytase inclusion on pig performance, bone parameters and pork quality in finisher pigs. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2018; 102:1296-1305. [DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Duffy
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Gaurav Rajauria
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Louise C. Clarke
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Vivian Gath
- School of Veterinary Medicine; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Frank J. Monahan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - John V. O'Doherty
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; University College Dublin; Dublin 4 Ireland
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23
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Keane MP, McGee M, O'Riordan EG, Kelly AK, Earley B. Effect of floor type on performance, lying time and dirt scores of finishing beef cattle: A meta-analysis. Livest Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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24
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Duffy SK, Kelly AK, Rajauria G, Jakobsen J, Clarke LC, Monahan FJ, Dowling KG, Hull G, Galvin K, Cashman KD, Hayes A, O'Doherty JV. The use of synthetic and natural vitamin D sources in pig diets to improve meat quality and vitamin D content. Meat Sci 2018; 143:60-68. [PMID: 29715661 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of synthetic and natural sources of vitamin D biofortification in pig diets on pork vitamin D activity and pork quality. One hundred and twenty pigs (60 male, 60 female) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments for a 55 d feeding period. The dietary treatments were (1)50 μg vitamin D₃/kg of feed; (2)50 μg of 25-hydroxvitamin D₃/kg of feed (25-OH-D₃); (3)50 μg vitamin D₂/kg of feed; (4)50 μg vitamin D₂-enriched mushrooms/kg of feed (Mushroom D₂). The pigs offered the 25-OH-D₃ diet exhibited the highest (P < 0.001) serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and subsequently exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) Longissimus thoracis (LT) total vitamin D activity. Mushroom D2 and 25-OH-D3 supplementation increased pork antioxidant status. The vitamin D₂-enriched mushrooms improved (P < 0.05) pig performance, carcass weight and LT colour. In conclusion, 25-OH-D₃ is the most successful source for increasing pork vitamin D activity, while Mushroom D2 may be a new avenue to improve animal performance and pork quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Duffy
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Gaurav Rajauria
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jette Jakobsen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Louise C Clarke
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Frank J Monahan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Kirsten G Dowling
- Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutritional Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - George Hull
- Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutritional Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Karen Galvin
- Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutritional Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kevin D Cashman
- Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutritional Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Aoife Hayes
- Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutritional Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John V O'Doherty
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Randi F, Fernandez-Fuertes B, McDonald M, Forde N, Kelly AK, Bastos Amorin H, Muniz de Lima E, Morotti F, Marcondes Seneda M, Lonergan P. Asynchronous embryo transfer as a tool to understand embryo-uterine interaction in cattle: is a large conceptus a good thing? Reprod Fertil Dev 2018. [PMID: 26220578 DOI: 10.1071/rd15195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim was to examine the effect of embryo-uterine synchrony on conceptus elongation and pregnancy rate in cattle. In Study 1, crossbred beef heifers each received 10 Day-7 in vitro-produced blastocysts on either Day 5, 7 or 9 after oestrus. A proportion of Day 5 recipients were supplemented with progesterone, via a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device from Days 3-5 plus either 750IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin or 3000IU human chorionic gonadotrophin on Day 3. At embryo age Day 14, all heifers were slaughtered and the uterus was flushed. Fewer recipients yielded conceptuses (P<0.05) and fewer conceptuses were recovered (P<0.05) following transfer on Day 5 compared with Day 7 or 9. Supplementation with progesterone resulted in short cycles in approximately 50% of recipients. Mean conceptus length was greater (P<0.05) following transfer to an advanced uterus. In Study 2, overall pregnancy rate following the fresh transfer of a single in vitro-produced blastocyst was 43.5% (2065/4749). Transfer of a Day 7 embryo to a synchronous Day-7 uterus resulted in a pregnancy rate of 47.3%. Transfer to a Day-5 (40.8%) or a Day-8 (41.3%) uterus moderately impacted pregnancy rate (P<0.01) while transfer to a uterus 2 days in advance (Day-9, 24.4%) or 3 days behind (Day-4, 27.0%) reduced (P<0.001) pregnancy rate compared with synchronous transfers. In conclusion, transfer of an embryo into an advanced uterus results in an acceleration of conceptus development, but does not result in greater pregnancy rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Randi
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | | | - Michael McDonald
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Niamh Forde
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | | | | | - Fabio Morotti
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia da Reprodução Animal (ReproA), DCV-CCA-Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Marcondes Seneda
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia da Reprodução Animal (ReproA), DCV-CCA-Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Brazil
| | - Patrick Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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26
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Forde N, O'Gorman A, Whelan H, Duffy P, O'Hara L, Kelly AK, Havlicek V, Besenfelder U, Brennan L, Lonergan P. Lactation-induced changes in metabolic status and follicular-fluid metabolomic profile in postpartum dairy cows. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 28:1882-1892. [PMID: 26072962 DOI: 10.1071/rd14348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim was to investigate the effect of lactation on the composition of pre-ovulatory follicular fluid (FF). Forty in-calf primiparous heifers and 20 maiden heifers were enrolled. Immediately after calving, half of the cows were dried off while the remainder were milked twice daily. Serum samples were collected twice weekly from two weeks pre- to 84 days postpartum (dpp). FF was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate were higher, while glucose, insulin and Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) concentrations were lower in lactating cows compared with non-lactating cows and heifers (P<0.01). Principal component analysis of FF metabolites revealed a clear separation of the lactating group from both non-lactating cows and heifers. The amino acids tyrosine, phenylalanine and valine and fatty acids heneicosanoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were all lower in FF from lactating compared with dry cows (P<0.05). FF from lactating cows was higher in aminoadipic acid, α-aminobutyric acid, glycine and serine while histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine and ornithine were all lower than in dry cows and heifers (P<0.05). The ratio of n6:n3 was higher in lactating cows compared with both non-lactating cows and heifers, whereas total n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, pentadecanoic, linolenic, elaidic and arachidonic acids were all lower in the FF of lactating cows than both non-lactating cows and heifers (P<0.05). In conclusion, lactation induces distinct changes in the overall metabolic status of postpartum lactating dairy cows which are associated with divergent metabolite profiles in FF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Forde
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Aoife O'Gorman
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Helena Whelan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Pat Duffy
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Lydia O'Hara
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Vitezslav Havlicek
- Reproduction Centre - Wieselburg, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210, Austria
| | - Urban Besenfelder
- Reproduction Centre - Wieselburg, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210, Austria
| | - Lorraine Brennan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Pat Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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27
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Keane MP, McGee M, O’Riordan EG, Kelly AK, Earley B. Performance and welfare of steers housed on concrete slatted floors at fixed and dynamic (allometric based) space allowances. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:880-889. [PMID: 29529234 PMCID: PMC6093521 DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of the study were to determine whether allometric equations are suitable for estimating the space requirements of finishing beef cattle housed on concrete slatted floors (CSF) and to examine the effect of fixed and dynamic space allowances on the performance and welfare of these cattle. Continental crossbred steers [n = 120: mean initial live weight, 590 (SD 29.8) kg] were blocked by breed, weight, and age and assigned to 1 of 5 space allowance treatments (3 fixed and 2 dynamic) on CSF: 1) 2.0 m2 per animal, 2) 2.5 m2 per animal, 3) 3.0 m2 per animal, 4) Equation 1 (E1); y = 0.033w0.667, where y = m2 per animal and w = body weight, and 5) Equation 2 (E2); y = 0.048w0.667. The length of the feed face was 3.0 m for all treatments. Steers were offered grass silage and concentrates ad libitum. DMI was recorded weekly on a pen basis. Steers were weighed and dirt scored every 14 d. Blood samples were collected every 28 d, and analyzed for complete cell counts. Behavior was recorded using closed-circuit infrared cameras. Steers' hooves were inspected for lesions at the beginning of the study and post-slaughter. Slaughter weight and ADG were lowest, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was poorest, for steers accommodated at 2.0 m2, and slaughter weight and ADG were greatest, and FCR was the best, for steers accommodated at E2 (P < 0.05); steers accommodated at 2.5 m2 were intermediate (P > 0.05) to those accommodated at 2.0 m2 and both 3.0 m2 and E1, whereas steers accommodated at 3.0 m2 and E1 were intermediate (P > 0.05) to 2.5 m2 and E2. Carcass weight of steers housed at 2.0 m2 was lower (P < 0.05) than all other treatments. Steers housed at 2.5 m2 had lower carcass weights (P < 0.05) than those with accommodated at E1 and E2, whereas the carcass weight of steers accommodated at 3.0 m2 was intermediate. Carcass fat scores and hide weights were lower (P < 0.05) in steers accommodated at 2.0 m2 than those housed at E2 with other treatments being intermediate. The number of steers lying at any one time and the number of steers observed grooming themselves was lower (P < 0.05) at 2.0 m2 than any other treatment. Dirt scores, hoof lesion number, and hematological measurements were not affected by treatment. It was concluded that 2.0 m2 per animal was an insufficient space allowance for housing finishing beef steers and that the equation y = 0.033w0.667 is sufficient for estimating the space required by finishing beef cattle housed on CSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Keane
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark McGee
- Livestock Systems Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Edward G O’Riordan
- Grassland Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bernadette Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Randi F, McDonald M, Duffy P, Kelly AK, Lonergan P. The relationship between external auditory canal temperature and onset of estrus and ovulation in beef heifers. Theriogenology 2018; 110:175-181. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 12/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Duffy SK, O'Doherty JV, Rajauria G, Clarke LC, Hayes A, Dowling KG, O'Grady MN, Kerry JP, Jakobsen J, Cashman KD, Kelly AK. Vitamin D-biofortified beef: A comparison of cholecalciferol with synthetic versus UVB-mushroom-derived ergosterol as feed source. Food Chem 2018; 256:18-24. [PMID: 29606435 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.02.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates dietary fortification of heifer feeds with cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol sources and effects on beef total vitamin D activity, vitamer, respective 25-hydroxymetabolite contents, and meat quality. Thirty heifers were allocated to one of three dietary treatments [(1) basal diet + 4000 IU of vitamin D3 (Vit D3); (2) basal diet + 4000 IU of vitamin D2 (Vit D2); and (3) basal diet + 4000 IU of vitamin D2-enriched mushrooms (Mushroom D2)] for a 30 day pre-slaughter period. Supplementation of heifer diets with Vit D3 yielded higher (p < 0.001) Longissimus thoracis (LT) total vitamin D activity (by 38-56%; p < 0.05) and serum 25-OH-D concentration (by 20-36%; p < 0.05), compared to that from Vit D2 and Mushroom D2 supplemented animals. Irrespective of vitamin D source, carcass characteristics, sensory and meat quality parameter were unaffected (p > 0.05) by the dietary treatments. In conclusion, vitamin D3 biofortification of cattle diets is the most efficacious way to enhance total beef vitamin D activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Duffy
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - John V O'Doherty
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Gaurav Rajauria
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Louise C Clarke
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Aoife Hayes
- Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutritional Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kirsten G Dowling
- Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutritional Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Michael N O'Grady
- Food Packaging Group, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Joseph P Kerry
- Food Packaging Group, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Jette Jakobsen
- National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Søborg, Denmark
| | - Kevin D Cashman
- Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutritional Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Duffy SK, O'Doherty JV, Rajauria G, Clarke LC, Cashman KD, Hayes A, O'Grady MN, Kerry JP, Kelly AK. Cholecalciferol supplementation of heifer diets increases beef vitamin D concentration and improves beef tenderness. Meat Sci 2017; 134:103-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2017.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Kelly AK, Lawrence P, Earley B, Kenny DA, McGee M. Stress and immunological response of heifers divergently ranked for residual feed intake following an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2017; 8:65. [PMID: 28804620 PMCID: PMC5549385 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-017-0197-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND When an animal is exposed to a stressor, metabolic rate, energy consumption and utilisation increase primarily through activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Changes to partitioning of energy by an animal are likely to influence the efficiency with which it is utilised. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the physiological stress response to an exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge in beef heifers divergently ranked on phenotypic residual feed intake (RFI). RESULTS Data were collected on 34 Simmental weaning beef heifers the progeny of a well characterized and divergently bred RFI suckler beef herd. Residual feed intake was determined on each animal during the post-weaning stage over a 91-day feed intake measurement period during which they were individually offered adlibitum grass silage and 2 kg of concentrate per head once daily. The 12 highest [0.34 kg DM/d] and 12 lowest [-0.48 kg DM/d] ranking animals on RFI were selected for use in this study. For the physiological stress challenge heifers (mean age 605 ± 13 d; mean BW 518 ± 31.4 kg) were fitted aseptically with indwelling jugular catheters to facilitate intensive blood collection. The response of the adrenal cortex to a standardised dose of ACTH (1.98 IU/kg metabolic BW0.75) was examined. Serial blood samples were analysed for plasma cortisol, ACTH and haematology variables. Heifers differing in RFI did not differ (P = 0.59) in ACTH concentrations. Concentration of ACTH peaked (P < 0.001) in both RFI groups at 20 min post-ACTH administration, following which concentration declined to baseline levels by 150 min. Similarly, cortisol systemic profile peaked at 60 min and concentrations remained continuously elevated for 150 min. A RFI × time interaction was detected for cortisol concentrations (P = 0.06) with high RFI heifers had a greater cortisol response than Low RFI from 40 min to 150 min relative to ACTH administration. Cortisol response was positively associated with RFI status (r = 0.32; P < 0.01). No effect of RFI was evident for neutrophil, lymphocytes, monocyte, eosinophils and basophil count. Plasma red blood cell number (6.07 vs. 6.23; P = 0.02) and hematocrit percentage (23.2 vs. 24.5; P = 0.02) were greater for low than high RFI animals. CONCLUSIONS Evidence is provided that feed efficiency is associated with HPA axis function and susceptibility to stress, and responsiveness of the HPA axis is likely to contribute to appreciable variation in the efficiency feed utilisation of cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - P Lawrence
- Livestock Systems Research Department Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - B Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - D A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - M McGee
- Livestock Systems Research Department Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Fernandez-Fuertes B, Laguna-Barraza R, Fernandez-Gonzalez R, Gutierrez-Adan A, Blanco-Fernandez A, O’Doherty AM, Di Fenza M, Kelly AK, Kölle S, Lonergan P. Subfertility in bulls carrying a nonsense mutation in transmembrane protein 95 is due to failure to interact with the oocyte vestments†. Biol Reprod 2017; 97:50-60. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Keogh K, Waters SM, Cormican P, Kelly AK, O’Shea E, Kenny DA. Effect of dietary restriction and subsequent re-alimentation on the transcriptional profile of bovine ruminal epithelium. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177852. [PMID: 28545102 PMCID: PMC5435337 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Compensatory growth (CG) is utilised worldwide in beef production systems as a management approach to reduce feed costs. However the underlying biology regulating the expression of CG remains to be fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of dietary restriction and subsequent re-alimentation induced CG on the global gene expression profile of ruminal epithelial papillae. Holstein Friesian bulls (n = 60) were assigned to one of two groups: restricted feed allowance (RES; n = 30) for 125 days (Period 1) followed by ad libitum access to feed for 55 days (Period 2) or (ii) ad libitum access to feed throughout (ADLIB; n = 30). At the end of each period, 15 animals from each treatment were slaughtered and rumen papillae harvested. mRNA was isolated from all papillae samples collected. cDNA libraries were then prepared and sequenced. Resultant reads were subsequently analysed bioinformatically and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are defined as having a Benjamini-Hochberg P value of <0.05. During re-alimentation in Period 2, RES animals displayed CG, growing at 1.8 times the rate of their ADLIB contemporary animals in Period 2 (P < 0.001). At the end of Period 1, 64 DEGs were identified between RES and ADLIB, with only one DEG identified at the end of Period 2. When analysed within RES treatment (RES, Period 2 v Period 1), 411 DEGs were evident. Genes identified as differentially expressed in response to both dietary restriction and subsequent CG included those involved in processes such as cellular interactions and transport, protein folding and gene expression, as well as immune response. This study provides an insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the expression of CG in rumen papillae of cattle; however the results suggest that the role of the ruminal epithelium in supporting overall animal CG may have declined by day 55 of re-alimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Sinead M. Waters
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Paul Cormican
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emma O’Shea
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - David A. Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
- * E-mail:
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McDonnell RP, Hart KJ, Boland TM, Kelly AK, McGee M, Kenny DA. Effect of divergence in phenotypic residual feed intake on methane emissions, ruminal fermentation, and apparent whole-tract digestibility of beef heifers across three contrasting diets. J Anim Sci 2016; 94:1179-93. [PMID: 27065279 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the effect of divergent phenotypic ranking for residual feed intake (RFI) on ruminal CH emissions, diet digestibility, and indices of ruminal fermentation in heifers across 3 commercially relevant diets. Twenty-eight Limousin × Friesian heifers were used and were ranked on the basis of phenotypic RFI: 14 low-RFI and 14 high-RFI animals. Ruminal CH emissions were estimated over 5 d using the SF tracer gas technique on 3 successive occasions: 1) at the end of a 6-wk period (Period 1) on grass silage (GS), 2) at the end of an 8-wk period (Period 2) at pasture, and 3) at the end of a 5-wk period (Period 3) on a 30:70 corn silage:concentrate total mixed ration (TMR). Animals were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water at all times. Individual DMI was estimated during CH measurement and rumen samples were taken at the end of each CH measurement period. Diet type affected all feed intake and CH traits measured ( < 0.01) but was unavoidably confounded with animal age/size and experimental period. Correlation coefficients between RFI and DMI were significant ( < 0.05) only when animals were fed the TMR. Daily CH correlated with DMI ( = 0.42, < 0.05) only when animals grazed pasture. Daily DMI was lower in low-RFI animals ( = 0.047) but only when expressed as grams per kilogram metabolic BW. Absolute CH emissions did not differ between RFI groups ( > 0.05), but CH yield was greatest in low-RFI heifers ( = 0.03) as a proportion of both DMI and GE intake. Interactions between the main effects were observed ( < 0.05) for CP digestibility (CPD), DM digestibility (DMD), ruminal propionate, and the acetate:propionate ratio. Low-RFI animals had greater ( < 0.05) CPD and DMD than their high-RFI contemporaries when offered GS but not the other 2 diets. Low-RFI heifers also had greater OM digestibility ( = 0.027). Additionally, low-RFI heifers had a lower concentration of propionate ( < 0.05) compared with high-RFI heifers when fed GS, resulting in a greater ( < 0.05) acetate:propionate ratio. However, these differences were not evident for the other 2 diets. Energetically efficient animals do not have a lower ruminal methanogenic potential compared with their more inefficient counterparts and, indeed, some evidence to the contrary was found, which may reflect the greater nutrient digestive potential observed in low-RFI cattle.
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Fernandez-Fuertes B, Narciandi F, O'Farrelly C, Kelly AK, Fair S, Meade KG, Lonergan P. Cauda Epididymis-Specific Beta-Defensin 126 Promotes Sperm Motility but Not Fertilizing Ability in Cattle. Biol Reprod 2016; 95:122. [PMID: 27707713 PMCID: PMC5333942 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.138792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine beta-defensin 126 (BBD126) exhibits preferential expression for the cauda epididymis of males, where it is absorbed onto the tail and postacrosomal region of the sperm. The aim of this study was to examine the role of BBD126 in bull sperm function. Fresh and frozen-thawed semen were incubated in the presence of different capacitating agents as well as with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. These treatments, which have been successful in releasing beta-defensin 126 from macaque sperm, proved to be ineffective in bull sperm. This finding suggests that the protein behaves in a different manner in the bovine. The lack of success in removing BBD126 led us to use corpus epididymis sperm, a model in which the protein is not present, to study its functional role. Corpus sperm were incubated with cauda epididymal fluid (CEF) in the absence or presence of BBD126 antibody or with recombinant BBD126 (rBBD126). Confocal microscopy revealed that rBBD126 binds to corpus sperm with the same pattern observed for BBD126 in cauda sperm, whereas an aberrant binding pattern is observed when sperm are subject to CEF incubation. Addition of CEF increased motility as well as the number of corpus sperm migrating through cervical mucus from estrus cows. However, it decreased the ability of sperm to fertilize in vitro matured oocytes. The presence of the antibody failed to abrogate these effects. Furthermore, when rBBD126 was added in the absence of other factors and proteins from the CEF, an increase in motility was also observed and no negative effects in fertility were seen. These results suggest that BBD126 plays a key role in the acquisition of sperm motility in the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cliona O'Farrelly
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean Fair
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Kieran G Meade
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Patrick Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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O'Shea E, Waters SM, Keogh K, Kelly AK, Kenny DA. Examination of the molecular control of ruminal epithelial function in response to dietary restriction and subsequent compensatory growth in cattle. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2016; 7:53. [PMID: 27651894 PMCID: PMC5025635 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-016-0114-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary restriction and subsequent compensatory growth on the relative expression of genes involved in volatile fatty acid transport, metabolism and cell proliferation in ruminal epithelial tissue of beef cattle. Sixty Holstein Friesian bulls (mean liveweight 370 ± 35 kg; mean age 479 ± 15 d) were assigned to one of two groups: (i) restricted feed allowance (RES; n = 30) for 125 d (Period 1) followed by ad libitum access to feed for 55 d (Period 2) or (ii) ad libitum access to feed throughout (ADLIB; n = 30). Target growth rate for RES was 0.6 kg/d during Period 1. At the end of each dietary period, 15 animals from each treatment group were slaughtered and ruminal epithelial tissue and liquid digesta harvested from the ventral sac of the rumen. Real-time qPCR was used to quantify mRNA transcripts of 26 genes associated with ruminal epithelial function. Volatile fatty acid analysis of rumen fluid from individual animals was conducted using gas chromatography. RESULTS Diet × period interactions were evident for genes involved in ketogenesis (BDH2, P = 0.017), pyruvate metabolism (LDHa, P = 0.048; PDHA1, P = 0.015) and cellular transport and structure (DSG1, P = 0.019; CACT, P = 0.027). Ruminal concentrations of propionic acid (P = 0.018) and n-valeric acid (P = 0.029) were lower in RES animals, compared with ADLIB, throughout the experiment. There was also a strong tendency (P = 0.064) toward a diet × period interaction for n-butyric with higher concentrations in RES animals, compared with ADLIB, during Period 1. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that following nutrient restriction, the structural integrity of the rumen wall is compromised and there is upregulation of genes involved in the production of ketone bodies and breakdown of pyruvate for cellular energy. These results provide an insight into the potential molecular mechanisms regulating ruminal epithelial absorptive metabolism and growth following nutrient restriction and subsequent compensatory growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma O'Shea
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4 Ireland ; Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland ; UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4 Ireland
| | - Sinéad M Waters
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Kate Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4 Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4 Ireland ; Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Kelly DK, Kelly AK, O’Dowd TOD. OP84 Family influences on high antibiotic use at age three. Br J Soc Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/jech-2015-206256.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Keogh K, Kenny DA, Kelly AK, Waters SM. Insulin secretion and signaling in response to dietary restriction and subsequent re-alimentation in cattle. Physiol Genomics 2015; 47:344-54. [PMID: 26015430 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00002.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to examine systemic insulin response to a glucose tolerance test (GTT) and transcript abundance of genes of the insulin signaling pathway in skeletal muscle, during both dietary restriction and re-alimentation-induced compensatory growth. Holstein Friesian bulls were blocked to one of two groups: 1) restricted feed allowance for 125 days (period 1) (RES, n = 15) followed by ad libitum feeding for 55 days (period 2) or 2) ad libitum access to feed throughout (periods 1 and 2) (ADLIB, n = 15). On days 90 and 36 of periods 1 and 2, respectively, a GTT was performed. M. longissimus dorsi biopsies were harvested from all bulls on days 120 and 15 of periods 1 and 2, respectively, and RNA-Seq analysis was performed. RES displayed a lower growth rate during period 1 (RES: 0.6 kg/day, ADLIB: 1.9 kg/day; P < 0.001), subsequently gaining more during re-alimentation (RES: 2.5 kg/day, ADLIB: 1.4 kg/day; P < 0.001). Systemic insulin response to glucose administration was lower in RES in period 1 (P < 0.001) with no difference observed during period 2. The insulin signaling pathway in M. longissimus dorsi was enriched (P < 0.05) in response to dietary restriction but not during re-alimentation (P > 0.05). Genes differentially expressed in the insulin signaling pathway suggested a greater sensitivity to insulin in skeletal muscle, with pleiotropic effects of insulin signaling interrupted during dietary restriction. Collectively, these results indicate increased sensitivity to glucose clearance and skeletal muscle insulin signaling during dietary restriction; however, no overall role for insulin was apparent in expressing compensatory growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland; and UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland; and
| | - Alan K Kelly
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sinéad M Waters
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland; and
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Keogh K, Waters SM, Kelly AK, Wylie ARG, Kenny DA. Effect of feed restriction and subsequent re-alimentation on hormones and genes of the somatotropic axis in cattle. Physiol Genomics 2015; 47:264-73. [PMID: 25921585 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00134.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to characterize the effect of feed restriction and compensatory growth during re-alimentation on the functionality of the somatotropic axis. We blocked 60 bulls into one of two groups: 1) restricted feed allowance for 125 days (period 1) (RES, n = 30) followed by ad libitum feeding for 55 days (period 2) or 2) ad libitum access to feed throughout (ADLIB, n = 30). A growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) challenge was performed during each period. At the end of each period, 15 animals from each treatment were slaughtered and hepatic tissue collected. Hepatic expression of 13 genes of the somatotropic axis was measured by qRT-PCR. RES displayed a lower growth rate during period 1 (0.6 vs. 1.9 kg/day; P < 0.001), subsequently gaining more than ADLIB animals during period 2 (2.5 vs. 1.4 kg/day; P < 0.001). Growth hormone response to GHRH was not different between treatments at either time-point (P > 0.05); however, resultant plasma IGF-1 was lower in period 1 and greater in period 2 in RES animals (P < 0.05). Expression of IGFBP2 was higher (P < 0.01) and IGF1 (P < 0.001) and GHRIA (P < 0.05) lower in RES compared with ADLIB during period 1, with no difference evident in period 2 (P > 0.05). Collectively, the results of this study are consistent with uncoupling of the somatotropic axis following feed restriction. However, there is no evidence from this study that the somatotropic axis per se is a significant contributor to compensatory growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland; University College Dublin School of Agriculture and Food Science, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; and
| | - Sinéad M Waters
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- University College Dublin School of Agriculture and Food Science, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland; and
| | | | - David A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Dunsany, County Meath, Ireland;
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Carberry CA, Kenny DA, Kelly AK, Waters SM. Quantitative analysis of ruminal methanogenic microbial populations in beef cattle divergent in phenotypic residual feed intake (RFI) offered contrasting diets. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2014; 5:41. [PMID: 25276350 PMCID: PMC4177383 DOI: 10.1186/2049-1891-5-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methane (CH4) emissions in cattle are an undesirable end product of rumen methanogenic fermentative activity as they are associated not only with negative environmental impacts but also with reduced host feed efficiency. The aim of this study was to quantify total and specific rumen microbial methanogenic populations in beef cattle divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI) while offered (i) a low energy high forage (HF) diet followed by (ii) a high energy low forage (LF) diet. Ruminal fluid was collected from 14 high (H) and 14 low (L) RFI animals across both dietary periods. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis was conducted to quantify the abundance of total and specific rumen methanogenic microbes. Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the association between the relative abundance of methanogens and animal performance, rumen fermentation variables and diet digestibility. Results Abundance of methanogens, did not differ between RFI phenotypes. However, relative abundance of total and specific methanogen species was affected (P < 0.05) by diet type, with greater abundance observed while animals were offered the LF compared to the HF diet. Conclusions These findings suggest that differences in abundance of specific rumen methanogen species may not contribute to variation in CH4 emissions between efficient and inefficient animals, however dietary manipulation can influence the abundance of total and specific methanogen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciara A Carberry
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland ; UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sinéad M Waters
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Scully S, Maillo V, Duffy P, Kelly AK, Crowe MA, Rizos D, Lonergan P. The effect of lactation on post-partum uterine involution in Holstein dairy cows. Reprod Domest Anim 2013; 48:888-92. [PMID: 23692138 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The objective was to examine the effect of lactation on uterine involution in post-partum dairy cows. Holstein primiparous cows were used (n = 19, mean age: 3.9 ± 0.1 years). At calving, cows were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups, lactating (n = 11) or non-lactating (i.e. dried off at calving, n = 8). Examination of the reproductive tract was carried out by ultrasonography twice weekly until week 7 post-partum. Blood samples were collected twice weekly for the analysis of progesterone to indicate the resumption of cyclicity and metabolites indicative of energy status. Uterine involution was assessed in terms of size of the uterine horns, uterine body diameter and uterine fluid volume as assessed by the amount of non-echogenic material measured by ultrasound and position of the uterus. Vaginal mucous score was taken on day 28 post-partum for the assessment of uterine inflammation. Resumption of cyclicity (serum progesterone > 1 ng/ml) had occurred in both groups on average by day 21 post-partum. Concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate were higher, whereas concentrations of glucose, insulin and IGF-1 were lower (p < 0.05) in lactating compared to non-lactating cows. Lactating cows had a smaller mean uterine body diameter (p < 0.05) than non-lactating cows from days 28 to 42 post-partum (day 28: 20.2 ± 1.3 vs 24.9 ± 1.5 mm, respectively) and had a lower mean uterine fluid volume up to day 49 (p < 0.05). By day 49, there was no difference in uterine diameter (15.2 ± 1.8 vs 15.2 ± 1.6 mm) or uterine fluid volume (0.11 ± 0.38 vs 0.18 ± 0.46) between lactating and non-lactating cows, respectively. Vaginal mucous score revealed no evidence of uterine inflammation in either group. In conclusion, while lactation induced significant alterations in metabolic status, it did not have a major effect on the rate of uterine involution as defined in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Scully
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
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O'Hara L, Scully S, Maillo V, Kelly AK, Duffy P, Carter F, Forde N, Rizos D, Lonergan P. Effect of follicular aspiration just before ovulation on corpus luteum characteristics, circulating progesterone concentrations and uterine receptivity in single-ovulating and superstimulated heifers. Reproduction 2012; 143:673-82. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-11-0505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate, in unstimulated and superstimulated heifers, the effect of follicle aspiration just before ovulation on corpus luteum (CL) development, circulating progesterone (P4) concentrations and the ability of the uterus to support embryo development. Following follicle aspiration or ovulation timed from GNRH administration, CL development was assessed by daily ultrasonography, and CL function was assessed in terms of the capacity to produce P4 and the expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis in luteal tissue. The capacity of the uterine environment to support conceptus development was assessed following transfer and recovery of in vitro-produced embryos. Follicular aspiration just before the expected time of ovulation leads to a significant reduction in CL diameter, CL area and area of luteal tissue. This was associated with a decrease in circulating P4 in both unstimulated and superstimulated heifers. Follicle aspiration leads to a reduction in conceptus length and area on day 14 in unstimulated heifers only. Follicle aspiration leads to a reduction in the expression of LHCGR in luteal tissue from unstimulated heifers compared with those in which the CL formed after ovulation. Superstimulation significantly reduced the expression of STAR in luteal tissue in both ovulated and follicle-aspirated heifers. In conclusion, in stimulated and unstimulated heifers, aspiration of the preovulatory dominant follicle(s) just before expected ovulation interferes with the subsequent formation and function of the CL, in terms of size and P4 output and this, in turn, is associated with a reduced capacity of the uterus to support conceptus elongation in unstimulated heifers.
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Magee DA, Berkowicz EW, Sikora KM, Sweeney T, Kenny DA, Kelly AK, Evans RD, Wickham BW, Bradley DG, Spillane C, MacHugh DE. High concordance of bovine single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes generated using two independent genotyping strategies. Anim Biotechnol 2011; 21:257-62. [PMID: 20967645 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2010.509680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) represent the most common form of DNA sequence variation in mammalian livestock genomes. While the past decade has witnessed major advances in SNP genotyping technologies, genotyping errors caused, in part, by the biochemistry underlying the genotyping platform used, can occur. These errors can distort project results and conclusions and can result in incorrect decisions in animal management and breeding programs; hence, SNP genotype calls must be accurate and reliable. In this study, 263 Bos spp. samples were genotyped commercially for a total of 16 SNPs. Of the total possible 4,208 SNP genotypes, 4,179 SNP genotypes were generated, yielding a genotype call rate of 99.31% (standard deviation ± 0.93%). Between 110 and 263 samples were subsequently re-genotyped by us for all 16 markers using a custom-designed SNP genotyping platform, and of the possible 3,819 genotypes a total of 3,768 genotypes were generated (98.70% genotype call rate, SD ± 1.89%). A total of 3,744 duplicate genotypes were generated for both genotyping platforms, and comparison of the genotype calls for both methods revealed 3,741 concordant SNP genotype call rates (99.92% SNP genotype concordance rate). These data indicate that both genotyping methods used can provide livestock geneticists with reliable, reproducible SNP genotypic data for in-depth statistical analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Magee
- UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
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Kelly AK, Waters SM, McGee M, Fonseca RG, Carberry C, Kenny DA. mRNA expression of genes regulating oxidative phosphorylation in the muscle of beef cattle divergently ranked on residual feed intake. Physiol Genomics 2010; 43:12-23. [PMID: 20923863 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00213.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Our objective was to evaluate the effects of phenotypic ranking on residual feed intake (RFI) on the transcription of genes 1) involved in the respiratory chain complex and 2) coding for transcriptional factors regulating mitochondrial biogenesis, across two contrasting diet types. Beef heifers (n = 86) fed a diet comprising 70:30 concentrate-corn silage [low forage (LF)] over a 82-day period were ranked on RFI. The 10 highest (feed inefficient, high-RFI) and 10 lowest (feed efficient, low-RFI) ranking animals were selected for the current study. Biopsies of the M. longissimus dorsi were harvested following initial selection (LF diet) and again following a 6 wk period while the animals were offered a high-forage (HF) grass silage-only diet. Real-time PCR was used to quantify mRNA transcripts of 17 genes associated with cellular energetic efficiency. The mRNA expression of UCP3 tended to be upregulated (2.2-fold, P = 0.06) for the high-RFI compared with the low-RFI animals. mRNA transcripts coding for the transcription factor PGC-1α was 1.7-fold higher (P = 0.01) in low compared with high-RFI animals. A phenotype × diet interaction was evident for the abundance of ANT1 mRNA transcript, with greater (P = 0.04) expression levels detected in the low-RFI phenotype during the HF period, but no difference (P = 0.50) between phenotypes during the LF period. A phenotype × diet interaction was also evident for COX II with greater expression levels detected (P = 0.04) in the low compared with the high RFI phenotype while on LF but not the HF diet (P = 0.22). These data suggest an association between cellular energetic efficiency and RFI in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan K Kelly
- UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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Kelly AK, McGee M, Crews DH, Sweeney T, Boland TM, Kenny DA. Repeatability of feed efficiency, carcass ultrasound, feeding behavior, and blood metabolic variables in finishing heifers divergently selected for residual feed intake. J Anim Sci 2010; 88:3214-25. [PMID: 20525931 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2009-2700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between feed efficiency and performance, and feeding behavior, blood metabolic variables, and various ultrasonic measurements in finishing beef heifers. Within-animal repeatability estimates of feed intake and behavior, performance, feed efficiency, ultrasonic body measures, and plasma analytes across the growing and finishing stages of the lifespan of the animal were also calculated. Fifty heifers previously ranked as yearlings on phenotypic residual feed intake (RFI) were used. Animals [initial BW = 418 (SD = 31.5) kg] were offered a TMR diet consisting of 70:30 concentrate and corn silage on a DM basis (ME 10.7 MJ/kg of DM; DM 530 g/kg) for 84 d. Feeding duration (min/d) and feeding frequency (events/d) were calculated for each animal on a daily basis using a computerized feeding system. Ultrasonic kidney fat and lumbar and rump fat and muscle depths were recorded on 3 equally spaced occasions during the experimental period. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture on 4 occasions during the experimental period and analyzed for plasma concentrations of IGF-I, insulin, and various metabolites. Phenotypic RFI was calculated for all animals as the residuals from a regression model regressing DMI on ADG and midtest BW(0.75). Repeatability was calculated for several traits both within and between production phase using intraclass correlation and Pearson correlation coefficients as appropriate. Overall ADG, DMI, G:F, and RFI were 1.17 kg/d (SD = 0.19), 10.81 kg/d (SD = 1.02), 0.11 kg of BW gain/kg of DM (SD = 0.02), and 0.00 kg of DM/d (SD 0.59). Daily feeding events and eating rate tended to be positively correlated (P = 0.08) with RFI. Ultrasonic kidney fat depth tended to be related to G:F (r = -0.28; P = 0.07), and kidney fat accretion tended to be related to RFI (r = 0.29; P = 0.08). Plasma urea (r = 0.38; P < 0.01), β-hydroxybutyrate (r = 0.40; P < 0.01), and insulin (r = 0.23; P = 0.07) concentrations were correlated with RFI. Plasma glucose (r = -0.25; P = 0.07), glucose:insulin (r = 0.33; P < 0.05), and insulin (r = -0.30; P < 0.05) were associated with G:F. However, systemic IGF-I was unrelated (P > 0.10) to any measure of feed efficiency. Repeatability estimates within the finishing period for DMI, feeding duration, feeding events, feed intake/feeding event, and eating rate were 0.34, 0.37, 0.60, 0.62, and 0.56, respectively. Repeatability estimates (P < 0.001) between the growing and finishing phases for DMI, G:F, and RFI were r = 0.61, r = 0.37, and r = 0.62, respectively. Moderate to strong repeatability values (ranging from r = 0.40 to 0.76; P < 0.001) were obtained for feeding behavior traits between the yearling and finishing phases. We conclude that RFI and feeding behavior are repeatable traits and that some plasma analytes may be potential indicators of RFI in beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Kelly
- School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Kelly AK, McGee M, Crews DH, Fahey AG, Wylie AR, Kenny DA. Effect of divergence in residual feed intake on feeding behavior, blood metabolic variables, and body composition traits in growing beef heifers. J Anim Sci 2009; 88:109-23. [PMID: 19820067 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2009-2196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the relationship of feed efficiency and performance with feeding behavior, blood metabolic variables, and various body composition measurements in growing beef heifers. Individual DMI and growth were measured in yearling Limousin x Holstein-Friesian heifers [n = 86; initial BW = 191.8 (SD = 37) kg] fed a TMR diet comprising 70:30 concentrate:corn silage on a DM basis (ME of 2.65 Mcal/kg of DM; DM of 580 g/kg) for 82 d. Meal duration (min/d) and meal frequency (events/d) were calculated for each animal on a daily basis using an Insentec computerized feeding system. Physical measurements as well as ultrasonic fat and muscle depths were recorded on 3 equally spaced occasions during the experimental period. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture on 4 equally spaced occasions and analyzed for plasma concentrations of IGF-I, insulin, leptin, and various metabolites. Phenotypic residual feed intake (RFI) was calculated for all animals as the residuals from a multiple regression model regressing DMI on ADG and midtest BW(0.75). Overall, ADG, DMI, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and RFI were 1.51 (SD = 0.13), 6.74 (SD = 0.99), 4.48 (SD = 0.65), and 0.00 (SD = 0.48) kg/d, respectively. Residual feed intake was positively correlated with DMI (r = 0.47) and FCR (r = 0.46), but not with ADG or midtest BW. Positive correlations (ranging from r = 0.27 to r = 0.63) were estimated between ultrasonic measures of final lumbar fat and lumbar fat accretion over the test period and DMI, FCR, and RFI. The inclusion of gain in lumbar fat to the base RFI model increased R(2) (0.77 vs. 0.80) value for the degree of variation in DMI not explained by midtest BW and ADG alone. The Pearson rank correlation between RFI and carcass-adjusted RFI (RFI(c)) was high (r = 0.93). From the plasma analytes measured, NEFA (r = -0.21; P < 0.05) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (r = 0.37; P < 0.05) concentrations were correlated with RFI. Plasma leptin (r = 0.48), glucose:insulin (r = -0.23), NEFA (r = -0.32), and beta-hydroxybutyrate (r = 0.25) were associated with FCR. However, systemic IGF-I and insulin were unrelated (P > 0.05) to any measure of feed efficiency. The feeding behavior traits of eating rate, daily feeding events, and nonfeeding events were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with RFI and RFI(c). This multifactorial study provides new information on some of the biological processes responsible for variation in feed efficiency in beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Kelly
- School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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